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LOT 0532
Greek Terracotta Oil Lamp
LATE 2ND CENTURY B.C.
3 3/4 in. (99 grams, 94 mm).
With low, swelling, globular body with unpierced lug on left side, rounded inward-sloping rim marked off by a shallow outer groove; large filling-hole, short rounded nozzle with large oval wick-hole, small raised circular base. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx P.A. collection, Hertfordshire, UK, 1990s.
LiteratureSee Bussière, J., Lindros Wohl, B., Ancient Lamps in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, 2017, no.16, p.18.
FootnotesAccording to Howland, this type (33A), attested in the Athenian Agora during a period from the last quarter of the third century B.C. to the third quarter of the second century, is not well defined: ‘Its forms are irregular, not following a definite set pattern’. Specimens are also recorded in Magna Graecia (Paestum).
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AUCTIONS:
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Etruscan Bronze Figure of a Man
4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £494
Standing with right hand extended, left hand supporting a spherical object, the body draped in a textile garment worn over the head like a cowl. 87 grams, 83 mm
Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent. -
Cypriot Terracotta Votive Horn
2100-1850 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Tapering round-section votive with reserved bands of dense linear hatching; repaired and mounted on a custom made display stand. 127 grams total, 18 cm high
From the celebrated personal collection of art formed by the famous anthropologist, artist, and television presenter Desmond Morris. with Christie’s, South Kensington, 14 May 2002, no.19 (part). From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages. -
Greek Bronze Mirror with Eros and Aphrodite
Late Classic-early Hellenistic Period, mid-late 4th century B.C.Estimate: £12,000 - 17,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £6,000
A circular box mirror comprising: a lid featuring a hammered sheet repoussé appliqué of Eros and Aphrodite, god and goddess of love, standing on either side of a thymiaterion, or censer associated with religious worship and ritual; Eros with wings outstretched, left hand supporting the top tier of the censer, right hand lowered to his side holding a wreath(?); much delicate incised detailing to his wings indicating a feathered texture; Aphrodite standing to the right, wearing a floor-length woollen tunic or chiton, a pleated himation around her waist and draped over her left arm; right hand held above the top tier of the censer; the scene is framed within an incised circular roundel; the interior of the lid, and the base including its flange, featuring a series of lathe-turned concentric circular mouldings; both halves mounted on a cleverly designed custom-made stand, which reproduces the human act of lifting the lid off the mirror base; museum-quality. 1.17 kg total, 15 cm
Private collection, London, 1975. with Christie's, Rockefeller Plaza, New York, 9 June 2011, no.109. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Kallos Gallery catalogue pages where the mirror is published. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12054-213612.
Handleless mirrors were luxury items that began to be produced in the second half of the 5th century B.C. Themes surrounding Aphrodite were very popular at this time. During the 4th century B.C. Eros was commonly depicted as a slim youth approaching manhood rather than as a child, as he is shown here on our example. Eros and Aphrodite are the two Greek deities most famously believed to induce desire.
